ILS Insight to focus on modelling and pricing

Modelling, pricing, transformation structures and registrar and transfer agency (RTA) providers, among other pressing issues within the insurance linked securities (ILS) sector, will be discussed at ILS Insight.

The Guernsey Finance-hosted thought leadership event in Zurich next month will take place at the Park Hyatt Zurich on Wednesday 2 July and will include two panel sessions featuring ILS experts from Guernsey, the UK and mainland Europe.

An introduction will be provided by Fiona Le Poidevin, chief executive of Guernsey Finance, the promotional agency for the Island’s finance industry.

“I am delighted that we have been able to secure this group of panellists who are all extremely well regarded members of the ILS community. They are very well-placed to provide the audience with a significant level of detail and technical expertise on everything to do with ILS.

“In addition, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions and contribute to the discussions so I am sure that by the end of the sessions we will have fully explored the most important matters related to ILS,” she said.

The first panel session will focus on the renewal season and recap on the key trends of 2014 with a particular focus on modelling, pricing, transformation structures and RTA providers.

Moderated by John Rowson of Aon Risk Solutions, the session will feature Niklaus Hilti of Credit Suisse; Justin Wallen of Hexagon PCC Group; Jonathan Barnes of Securis Investments; and Piers Cantlay of Aon Benfield.

The second panel session will look at investment and concentrate on the challenges of investing in ILS, investor perceptions and the comparative merits of open-ended and closed-ended investment structures.

Moderated by Robin Fuller of Dexion Guernsey, the session will comprise Mark Helyar of Bedell Cristin Guernsey; Barrie Duerden of Rothschild Wealth Management; Sandro Zwyssig of Bank Julius Baer; Pius Fritschi of LGT Capital Partners; and Patrick Stampfli of Schroder Investment Management Switzerland.

Le Poidevin said: “Guernsey has quickly become a specialist centre for ILS due to the Island’s long track record and expertise in both the investment funds and insurance sectors. ILS allows us to combine and optimise these strengths in a way that appeals to both insurers and fund managers.

“By hosting this event, we are looking to share our knowledge and explain why the ILS sector continues to grow and evolves from what was regarded as a niche market to one that is a recognised, independent asset class.”

Latest figures show that the Guernsey regulator licensed 99 new international insurance entities in the 12 months to the end of March, with a significant number related to ILS. There were a total of 790 international insurance entities domiciled in the Island by the end of March 2014.

Le Poidevin said: “There is an increasingly busy calendar of ILS events and so we wanted to make sure that this event would stand out from the crowd. By holding it in Zurich we will be within one of the world’s major reinsurance markets and this will help to attract high quality delegates who are key decision makers in the ILS space.”

‘ILS Insight’, which is free to attend, takes place from 4pm and is followed by a drinks reception at 6pm. The event is supported by news and analysis specialist Artemis.bm and insurance magazine Reactions. Event sponsors are Bedell Cristin and Aon.